4 Striking Facts That You Must Know About The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system is one of the crucial systems of our body, just like a respiratory system. Unlike other systems, the ECS is not limited to a specific organ but is scattered all over the brain, immune system, gastrointestinal tract, and other regions which might surprise you.
Assuming that not knowing about the ECS will not affect you as you are not consuming CBD terpenes oil or any other hemp and cannabis-infused product then you are mistaken. The ECS plays a major role in every one of us as we all produce endocannabinoids (Anandamide and 2-AG) and have CB receptors which contribute to maintaining homeostasis in the body.
But these are the basic things about the ECS! There are some facts about the ECS which make it stand out from the other body systems!
4 Surprising Facts About The Endocannabinoid System
- We Were Unaware Of Its Existence Until 1992
The major population of our country would have tried cannabis at some point of their life and today as well, people are appreciating the effects of the best CBD gummies available, but hardly anyone was curious about its mechanism. The ECS was not known to us until the famous scientist Raphael Mechoulam found that our body produces its own endocannabinoids which work just like the phytocannabinoids CBD and THC in our body. The research study about its existence was published in a journal only in 1992.
- But Its Evolution Can be Dated Back To Half A Billion Years Ago
Although we were oblivious to the discovery of the ECS, the extended research studies revealed that the cannabinoid receptors were present in the primary vertebrate organisms such as nematodes and sea-squirts. Thus, it is likely that of the evolution of the ECS may have started around 600 million years ago. Since then, the ECS is evolving and today, it is balancing all the body systems by communicating with cells.
- The ECS Stimulates Embryonic Development
The ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body and this is what it is known for. But this might come as a shocker to you that the endocannabinoid system not only contributes in our adult life but has a prominent role in life-sustaining function such as embryo implantation. The CB1 receptor which reacts to the THC promotes brain development in a fetus and after its birth, it activates milk suckling. This stimulating role of the ECS in embryonic development suggests how crucial it is.
- The Endocannabinoids Can Travel In A Two-Way Direction
Neural communication is a one-way system. Once a neurotransmitter delivers a message to the receptor, it can't travel back to convey any messages to the presynaptic location. But endocannabinoids can! This mechanism is called retrograde feedback. For instance, if the presynaptic location is sending messages too quickly, the postsynaptic neuron can send endocannabinoid to convey that it needs to slow down.
Isn't it interesting that we have been using the cannabinoid-rich plants like cannabis for medicinal purposes since stone age but were in blinds until recently? What's more interesting is that any disruption in the ECS can cause an imbalance in the body which is why medicinal cannabis works the way it does. But not everyone can have an access to it! If you are living in South Carolina, you can always go for CBD products in Greenville SC and Raleigh NC, etc.